FORGIVENESS = CONTENTMENT!

Father forgive my "whine" within. Even when I don't voice it, I know it's there. May it not be!

Today is "Thankful Thursday," a great time to "trash the whine" and give thanks.....in everything! (I Thessalonians 5:18)

May my life manifest the Spirit of God within. 

Contentment ..........Christ in me the hope of glory is seen as I live in the light of His forgiveness!

Thank God I'm Forgiven!.....................

                    not just on Thursday, but everyday!

A LIFE WELL LIVED!

The celebration of "Gran Marje's" life began with a picture posted by her granddaughter, Clare.

It continued in Sunday School as her son, Rad, shared a tribute to his mother. There were tears and hugs along with lots of Scripture and memories bringing much laughter! 

Marje was an elegant lady of grace....full of love for her Lord, her family, (80+ grands, great grands and great, great grands) her church friends, and anyone else the Lord brought across her path. All who knew her know Marje is not gone; she just went to be with the Lord---and of course her Chubby & Queen Elizabeth II along with many friends, family and family in the faith who predeceased her!

3 Truths Marje lived by and shared with family...

1. In everything give thanks. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
2. I have learned whatever state I'm in therewith to be content...for I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11, 13)
3. And we know all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Together we shared a love of books and I still have many with her inscription as to why I would love each book!

Seeing her recently in Sunday School (she didn't miss a Sunday even as her maladies increased these past two months) she called me her "miracle girl."

She often called me that and it's a moniker I cherish as it meant she had prayed for me during some difficult times. 

Her prayers spread far and wide. Now she is face to face with the One who heard all her prayers!

Rad shared that as he was at her side as she drew her last two breaths, she smiled during both of them.

Such an example of a life well lived---'til her last breaths.

FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTENT

10/5/13 I know the idiom uses familiarity breeds "contempt." A way of stating that less is more---with people, or even as one experiences something a lot. But....I like my word choice better.

After months of fun, with almost non-stop travel activities, it's good to be home.......

and the past few weeks I have been more than content with the ordinary----the familiar. 

My house. My prayer chair. My 3 three squishy bed pillows. My sharpened pencils. My sweet tea. My mundane mornings.

So familiar, so content.

NO Wi-Fi!

5/10/12 NO Wi-Fi----at least no wi-fi without paying at this classy golf resort. My frugal self would not let me pay for this "necessity" especially when the manager explained that wi-fi was available at no charge at all of their other lodgings just NOT their resorts! I could have stayed frustrated or even gotten angry, but God.....had a life lesson for me. I, who am trying to learn to apply simplicity to my life, just needed to put the computer aside and enjoy the time at hand. Live in the moment. Embrace contentment   regardless of the "inconvenience. (Philippians 4:11)

Enjoy life & when it gives you lemons, make lemonade or in this case use them in your sweet tea!

And......enjoy it..........I did!

Seasons of Discontent

7/17/12 If you don’t vote, you can’t complain. I don’t know if those were just Daddy’s words or if it was just the general sentiment of small town folks in Hoptown, where I grew up. Daddy was never a “waster of words” so that would have limited his political discussions to a degree anyway, But…..I NEVER heard him complain. I know it’s hard to believe I’m his daughter---because I, too often. am a waster of words and have been known to cut loose with some complaints.

Complaint often stems from discontent. But God…..has been teaching me contentment like I’ve never known. You see, contentment is a learned condition, it doesn’t come naturally.

Paul reiterates this in Philippians 4:11.

.....for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I must confess that I much prefer seasons of contentment. And these can come regardless of one's circumstances. These seasons of contentment can translate to seasons of “no complaint”. But, just in case my candidate doesn’t win, I can reserve the right to complain…..because I did vote.

GRUMBLE SEAT

2/24/12 This blog title had to be written in all caps because it can be a glaring problem for me. Most recently the inability to use our land line (my source of conversation) or my computer (my source of "blog" communication) had my grumblings rumbling,---thanks to a lack of perfection on Comcast's part. Aha, first clue---never expect perfection. 

This "grumbling" problem shows a deficiency in my spiritual conduct which I too often try to gloss over with a joke. But God.....is continuing to point it out so that I have to deal with it. Scripture has much to say about grumblings (Philippians 2:14) and contentment. (Philippians 4:11 & 1 Timothy 6:6) 

Even Anne Frank, who  could certainly justify her choice to complain, chose instead to remain positive. She, like Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8, could be downcast without giving into despair.  In spite of her circumstances, Anne Frank chose not to grumble. 

• The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. 
• Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture happiness in yourself and in God. 
• Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy. Look at these things, then find yourself again, and God, and then you regain your balance.
 
• And whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery! (www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3720.Anne_Frank)

My remedy is to refocus on  my Creator; to enlarge my heart with gratitude and be thankful, to find joy in the moments.

As someone recently said, so revealingly, "You (Dotsy) have no reason to complain." So, today I choose not to complain----I even choose not to "re-enter" yesterday's blog post. I don't even want to approach that "grumble seat," reminder of yesterday's frustrations and failures.